FRIEND IN SHADOWS (dramatic verse shop with last closing remarks by death)

I reckon that you've heard of me
because I get around a lot
and seen things that you'll seldom see
while traveling from spot to spot.

I meet new people every day
and come across them everywhere,
sometimes at work, sometimes at play.
They never see me till I'm there.

I acquaint myself with every one
but seldom do they call me friend.
Nobody thinks that I'm much fun,
I'll be a loner till my end.

You'll see me in the battle field
and in the old folks' nursing home
or where some driver fails to yield,
perhaps where a new type of plague roams.

We'll one day meet for just a while
me in rags with carrion breath
as I smile my lip-less smile
as I say "Hello, I'm death."

I've a light schedule today.
First client is a poet,
so I'd best be on my way.
Sunrise will come before I know it.

Just outside the "assisted" facility
i check to see where he is bound
then change my looks so he won't be
dismayed and scared when I come 'round.

---------------------------
Old, old man lying bed bound in an assisted care facility

Damn! I wish I was outside
instead of stuck here in this bed.
Beyond my window frosts abide.
I'd about as soon be dead.

They say the legs are first to go;
in my case it was abused knees.
Then heart was denied free blood flow.
The room is warm, yet my toes freeze.

And it's getting light out there
but I can't go so my mind just wanders
about the lives I used to share.
(I really wish I was out yonder)

The night just past contained no sleep
just thoughts of all the loved ones lost.
Old men are allowed to weep
when tallying up aging's cost.

These thoughts must be why my heart grows heavy
as I see a shadow become deeper.
Chest seems crushed as a breached levy
or a tree choked by kudzu's creepers.
.....
The sun rises and I look down
at myself there, I look at rest.
And I see I have a puzzled frown
as if confused at this last quest.

Then I turn and see another
a wizened guy with a tall staff
who seems familiar as a brother
with a smile that looks about to laugh.
..............death........
I'm glad to see his end came fast
and that he's unafraid of me
although he knows that he has passed
to where his legs are now pain free.
.............old man (now young and strong)..
I see a tunnel of pure light
and from it drift familiar voices
then turn to my new friend on my right
and ask "Friend just what are my choices?"
............death
My smile finally becomes laughter
and I say that he can't long here stay,
his loved ones await in the hereafter.
He called me friend! That makes my day.
---old man goes joyfully into light and death turns away.........

It's great to see to some I'm a friend
so many cringe when they see me
as they reach their mortal end
and see their eternity.

So I check my daily list
My next stop will likely be unpleasant
So I'll fade into a lifting mist
no time for me to be hesitant.

Corporeal wind sends me my way
to a place outside Baghdad
Where I now must send away
an evil one who's naught but bad.

ISIS commander. All in black at a mass grave of his victims

Well the ditch won't hold much more
but BANG! another infidel
joins others from my pistol's roar
Another day has started well

death. now transformed to his usual ragged garb with bones and scythe:

There stands an almost animal
beside his victims of the day
who thinks he's heeding his god's call
I shan't give him time to pray

terrorist:

Above I hear a low slight whisper
so I look up in the sky
just as my skin begins to blister
from a drone's missile fired from high

I blink and see I'm at a gate
but there are no virgins there
Just Satan's demons filled with hate
no sign of heaven anywhere.

I feel a nudge and turn around
and confront a smile which has no skin
then I scream without a sound
What kind of place am I now in?

Death, glaring at the evil commander:

YOU I'm pleased to escort here
where fires and tortures rule the way
for this is the place which all men fear
I welcome you to hell today

Death pushes damned commander into a poll of lava then smiles at resultant screams

Oh! you say that you're in pain?
expect no sympathy from me
to all you've slaughters it's quite plain
here's where you deserve to be

Death turns away just as a demon starts digging out commander's intestines

Death now checks list again:

I sigh while once more I check my list
for it seems it's never ending.
Once more I go into the mist
my job description is unbending.

And though I can change my looks at will
appearance is of little worth
for the truth remains and always will.
We're doomed for death at birth.

Infant, father, mother, son
I've sent all types on to their way
once their time here's finally done
I greet them on their final day.

To a scant few I'm a relief
an answer to their prayer
and proof of after life belief
that there is eternity out there.

Journey now is at next stop
an old guy tapping a key board
who falls dead with nary a flop
hello you, welcome aboard............

Ya'll want me tell about he next client who was bound for another destination?